The ultimate family budget road trip

On June 29, my family embarked on a great adventure–driving Route 66 from Santa Monica to Chicago. We took 15 days to do the trip (read all about it in past entries) and we gave ourselves a budget of $250 a day–a total of $3,750.

So, did we meet our goal? Barely. Our final total was $3,659.52 (Darn, I should have ordered that chocolate pie in Tulsa!) We had some help. My parents met us in St. Louis for two days and picked up the restaurant bills, and a friend sent $40 for a bottle of wine in Chicago. But generally we pinched pennies.

Here’s what we learned:

1) Leave the SUV at home. If you own more than one car, opt for the auto that gets the best gas mileage. It costs less and it’s better for the environment. (If we survived 15 days in a sardine can, you can too!)

2) Lighten your load. Carrying 100 pounds in the trunk reduces a typical car’s fuel efficiency by 1 to 2 percent. (My husband packed only one pair of shorts, one pair jeans, and a few shirts.) If you have cargo to haul, put it in the trunk instead of on a roof rack, which can decrease mileage by as much as 5 percent.

3) Inflate your tires. Under-inflated tires are a safety hazard and decrease fuel economy by as much as 2 percent per pound of pressure below the recommended level.

5) Invest in a cooler. Fill it with healthy snacks such as dried fruit, crackers, salami, cheese, and yogurt. Also, pack a loaf of bread and jars of peanut butter and honey.

6) Carry refillable water bottles. A family of four can easily spend $20 a day buying water in plastic bottles. We invested in eco-friendly Klean Kanteens, which don’t leach chemicals, toxins, or funky flavors.

8) Enjoy free entertainment. You can play I-Spy, 20 Questions, or Name that Tune without spending a penny. Also, borrow Books on Tape from your public library–my daughter’s favorite is Ramona and her Mother read by Stockard Channing. And download free printable car bingo cards from www.aaa.com/roadtrip.

10) Dive into the hotel pool. Take a break from the amusement parks and shopping malls where you’re bound to overspend.

11) Take advantage of discounts. Your AAA card can save you money at hotels, restaurants, and attractions (aaa.com). You can pick up discounted amusement park tickets at Walmart (www.walmart.com) and Costco (www.costco.com). And if you’re planning to visit several national parks, consider an annual pass ($80, www.nationalparks.org). Also, ask about hotel rewards programs.

12) Avoid big-name destinations. The Grand Canyon, Disneyland, Chicago–these popular spots will bust your budget. If money’s tight, bypass them and head for the hills.